Khonoma as a hamlet is one of the most visited places in Nagaland.
To start with, a curiosity factor works for that. After all there is a slice of history
as legendary A Z Phizo, who founded Naga National Council (NNC) and also
launched the Naga movement for liberation, hails from this village.
Thus, tourists also go there also to appreciate "inspiration" - the 'father of Naga nation' Phizo drew from his native place. Situated amidst the dense forests of western Angami hills, 20 kn west of capital Kohima, the 750-year old village receives visitors with a memorial at the front gate.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio formally declared Khonoma as a Green Village on October 25, 2005.
The village’s journey from a hunting community to a model of green-conservation serves as an inspiring example for global audiences.
As visitors explore Khonoma's fields and woodlands, they are encouraged to reflect on their own role in fostering sustainable practices in their respective communities. At least this is what a senior military officer - who also hails from hilly region of Uttarakhand in the north of India - had told me a few years back.
"Kohima makes you feel like a geo-strategist as you slowly get involved in governance issues and matters concerning securing the country. But Khonoma as a village stands as a beacon of hope....It tells a story. There is a message -- urging all to consider how they can contribute to a more environmentally conscious world."
Visitors would be woe-struck as the village square becomes a vibrant hub of activity as performers don colorful costumes, women would encourage them by singing and men would then share stories of resilience echoed by traditional drumbeats.
But the biggest point that used to be underlined in the 1990s when even the globe-attention seeker Hornbill Festival was not thought of, Khonoma highlighted the importance of responsible tourism.
An efficient demonstration of community-driven conservation efforts.
With every terraced field and every ban on destructive practices, native residents know of people's collective responsibility to safeguard environment.
There are other nuggets of information as well. Khonoma is the same village that stood up to the British in 1879 when Major G A Damat of British Garrison at Kohima decided to take military to Khonoma village. Of course, the colonial masters were welcomed by hurling of scores of spears killing several probably on both sides.
In 1996, when I visited Khonoma with northeast India's renowned scribe Homen Borgohain; he told his five-year old grand daughter - "Salute, baby.... here rest the people who did what they believed. And also those who love Mother Earth".
Homen da or for that matter any visitor even as late as 201-2018 would be excited to know that Khonoma is also known for its sustainable agriculture.
More than 20 rice varieties are grown in the village.
Self-sufficiency is something considered a normal for the villagers.
Paddy terraces are positioned at the base of surrounding hills and the fields are irrigated by nutrient-rich rainwater.
Villagers will also gladly showcasetheir organic farming methods
Produce such as squash, pumpkin, carrot, cabbage, potato, mustard, ginger, garlic and king chilli are also grown in the village, in home gardens and rotating, shifting cultivation plots.
Stories also go -- in the 1990s, motivated by a deep respect for nature, the villagers and a great meat eating community - enacted a ban on hunting and deforestation. And the transformation came !!
The Khonoma Nature Conservation and Tragopan Sanctuary (KNCTS) was founded in 1998.
Following the creation of KNCTS, several villages in the state began to emulate Khonoma’s conservation efforts.
Post script:
No noting of appreciation is complete without narrating the story when till 1998-99; when this blogger was very much part of the journalists fraternity in Kohima -- in the history of a few decades old journalism in Nagaland, the Khonoma villagers used to dominate the scene. The hamlet has not only produced one Phizo -- but thousands of his followers and admirers -- some of them die hard.
The hamlet also produced tens of IAS officers, doctors and engineers.
Politically Western Angami constituency - that houses Khonoma too - remains a regional party bastion.
The Congress won the seat once or twice rather by accidents of chance! The BJP cannot think of penetrating this forte; nor the Neta class is ready, I suppose.
ends
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